USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 27
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WASHINGTON.
offered some aid. Thus encouraged, the society con- curred unanimously in the call of the church, and he was installed on the 13th of Dec., 1826.
In the beginning of 1827, the Lord looked in mercy upon this remnant of his heritage; the Spirit was shed down, and from February to June was truly a reviving season. A considerable number expressed a hope that they had experienced renewing grace ; and before the year closed, 23 made a public profession of their faith. On the Ist of January last, the church consisted of 70 members.
The society is small. But little more than one third part of the taxable property in town is taxed for the support of worship among the Congregationalists.
A. an early period, a Baptist church was formed in that part of the town which was eventually set off to Lenox. This was thrown into confusion by a case of discipline, and finally the church was divided and form- ed into two churches, one church worshipping here, and the other in Lenox, or the north part of Stockbridge, where some of the members resided. These two chur- ches have been extinct many years.
There are a considerable number of Baptists now in town, and also a considerable number of Methodists, connected with people of their own denominations in the neighboring towns. An Episcopal church, called St. John's church, was formed here in 1825, having 6 communicants. None of these denominations have any stated preaching in town.
Physicians have been settled in this town by the name of Hiliyard, Bute, Chiidy, Kittredge, &c .; but we have at present no practising physician.
30
350
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF LEE.
BY REV. ALVAN HYDE, D. D.
THIS town is bounded on the north by Lenox; on the east by Washington and Becket ; on the south by Tyringham and Great Barrington ; and on the west by Stockbridge. The low lands were formerly occupied by the Stockbridge tribe of Indians for the purpose of raising corn ; while the extensive forests around them were devoted to hunting and to the manufacture of su- gar from the sap of the maple, with which the forests abounded The first white man who settled in the town was Mr. Isaac Davis, in the year 1760. He located himself quite in the south part of the town, on the banks of what is called Hop brook, a considerable stream, which takes its rise in Tyringham. Few of his de- scendants now remain.
The town was incorporated in the year 1777. The eas ern part was taken from the town of Washington, called Hartwood ; the south-western, called Hop-land, was taken from Great Barrington ; the residue was made up of certain provincial grants, called Giass- works' grant, Williams' grant, &c., and was named in honour of Gen. Lee, then an active officer in the Revo- lutionary war. The original inhabitants were compo- sed principally of emigrants from Tolland, in Connecti- cut, and from Barnstable, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Great Barrington, mn Mass. One of the early settlers, Mr. Jesse Bradley, whose descendants are numerous, came from New Haven, in Connecucut; another, Mr. Jonathan Foot, came from Colchester.
35}
LEE.
'The town is six miles in length, and five in breadth, and presents a very diversified appearance. It forins a part of the interval which lies between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges. The Green Mountain range, which rises to a moderate elevation, runs partly within the eastern limits of the town, presenting a very pictu- resque appearance. These mountains are for the most part of gentle acclivity, and are cultivated, in some pla- ces, quite to their summits. From the base of these mountains, the surface of the earth is rather uneven, occasionally rising into hills of considerable height. but generally descending, until it reaches the plain upon the banks of the Housatonic. West of this river, the land is every where undulating in its appearance. in- clining towards the south, and well situated for receiv- ing the genial rays of the sun.
At the north-east corner of the town, enters the Hou- satonic, a lively and romantic stream of cousiderable size, and runs diagonally through it, though in a very ser- pentine course, passing out at the south west corner, and dividing the town into Two nearly equal parts. Itr crives in its passage through the town, the waters of Washing- ton mountain. the waters of Scott's pond, lying on the boundaries between this town and Lenox, the waters of Greenwater pond, which is within the limits of Becket, he waters of Goose pond, which is situated on the line be- tween Becket ard Tyringham, and quite on the summit of the mountain, the waters of Hop brook, as well as several other streams of less size.
The advantages afforded by the Housatonic and its numerous tributaries, for manufactures, are rarely sur- passed in any place. Though the Housatonic is a rapid river, and occasionally swells itself, so as to overflor its banks, yet it seldom rises so high as to prove destruc- tive to the water works which have been construct- structed upon it. Several enterprising young men have of late enlisted in the manufacturing business, and by their energy and success have already given the place an elevated rank among the towns in the County. S'ill - there are many favorable stands for business, urocru_ pied, presenting alluring prospects for future adventurers
There are now in the town 9 saw-mills. 2 grist-mills, 2 woollen factories, 4 turning shops, 8 paper-mills.
358
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
4 tanneries, 2 furnaces, 1 powder factory, 2 ful- ling-mills, 1 distillery, 1 forge, 2 carding-machines, I chaise factory, 1 machine factory, and 2 cabinet ware- houses. There are besides many mechanics of differ- ent trades. The various factories give employment to several hundreds of people, and they are constantly in- creasing.
The most extensive woollen factory is owned by Messrs. Ball, Bassett & Co., and is situated on a stream which comes from Scott's pond, and near its entrance into the Housatonic, abont one quarter of a mile from the meeting-house. To their establishment belong several building ; one for carding, spinning, and weay» ing, 40 by 32 feet, 3 stories, filled with machinery ; one for fulling and finishing, 30 by 22 feet, 2 stories, containing much machinery ; and 2 dye-houses. They manufacture annually 12000 lbs of wool; and for the whole of their stock, consisting of wool, oil. dye-stuffs, &c., they pay annually between 7 and 8000 dollars. The amount of goods which they manufacture annually is 1000 yards of broad-cloth. 12000 yards of satinet, and 300 yards of felting. Tey employ 14 hands. The other woollen factory is in the south part of the town, erected in 1819, employing 10 workmen.
The most considerable turning establishment in the town is owned by Messrs. Thacher & Bassett, who em- ploy 10 hands, and pay annually $4000 for timber, brought to their works from the mountains and forests around, ready for turning ; and send off to New York, and other places of market, $8000 worth of chair-stuff.
There was formerly an extensive powder factory, a short distance from the centre of the town, owned by Messrs. Laflin, Loomis, & Co., where an immense quantity of powder was manufactured every season. This factory was in operation many years. The ave- rage quantity of powder manufactured per day, was 25 kegs, for which they found a ready market in the western part of the State of New York, in the region of Lockport and elsewhere. This business was very profitable, while the excavations for the Erie Canal were in progress. The explosions at this establishment were frequent, greatly endangering the lives of the workmen, as well as the lives and houses of the inhabitants in their vicin-
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LEE.
ity. These explosions might be attributed, in some instances, perhaps, to the carelessness of the workmen, and in others, to the manner in which the business was pressed. In September, 1824, a scene of desolation was exhibited, which exceeds all description. At this time, it was estimated that there were about 5 tous of powder in the different buildings ; and when the work- men, on a very pleasant morning, thought all things were going securely on, in a moment, every building was rased from its foundation with a tremendous explo- sion. Three of the unfortunate workmen were instant- ly hurried into eternity, while a fourth, who was thrown into the river, lingered for a short time, but lingered in agony. "Death came, like a friend, to relieve him from pain." The life of one of the proprietors was. for a few moments, in imminent danger from falling timbers, thrown to a great height in the air. Every house and building in the neighborhood were more or less injured, and every breast was shocked. Such was the conster- nation produced in the minds of the inhabitants, that they universally protested against the rebuilding of the mills. With this feeling of the public, the feelings of the proprietors coincided. They soon after sold this water privilege, and upon the ruins of the powd :r fac- tory. there has since been erected an extensive paper- inill establishment, now owned by Messrs. J.& L. Church & Co. It contains 2 engines, employs 16 workmen, and manufactures between 3 and 4000 reams annually.
The several paper-mills employ from 130 to 160 hands, and manufacture annually many thousands of reams of writing, printing, and wrapping paper, for which they find market at New York.
The first paper-mill in the town was built by Mr. Samuel Church, more than 20 years ago, in that part of the town now called South Lee. This is now owned by Messrs. Owen & Hurlburt, who have made very exten- sive improvements upon the establishment, having two large and convenient buildings, in which much business is done in a very systematic manner, giving employment to from thirty to forty persons. These enterprising gentlemen have, in one or two instances, received premiums upon their paper, as being of a very superior quality. They, together with Messrs. J. & L; 30*
354
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
Church, have manufactured bank-bill paper to a consi- -derable extent.
In the summer of 1826, Messrs. W. & W. & C. Laflin erected a paper-mill on a very extensive plan, in the centre of the town. The upright building is 100 feet by 35. The basement story is composed of stone, the next story of brick, and the upper part of wood. It has two wings on the east, one 50 by 24, the other 23 by 18, and one wing on the west, 30 by 30. They also erect- ed, the same season, a brick boarding-house, 2 stories high, 68 by 30, with two wings, divided into four tene- ments, sufficiently large to accommodate twenty per- sons in each tenement. The mill has four engines, car- ried by one water wheel, and it manufactures from 600 to 1000 lbs of rags per day, and makes as much paper as four common mills with single engines. It gives em- ployment to 20 men and 40 women. The water is brought from a distance of 140 rods above the mill, by a lateral cut running parallel with the river, 30 feet in width upon the surface, and of sufficient depth to receive the whole of the river. should so much water be needed, with a race-way from the mill, 30 rods long and 25 feet wide, making the length of the excavation 170 rods. All this was accomplished in eight months. In connex- ion with this mill, another was erected in 1927, three quarters of a mile up the river, sufficiently large to ma- nufacture from 1000 to 1500 lbs. of rags per day, or from 24 to 60 reams of printing paper. It gives em- ployment to 9 men and S women. Both mills, taken. together, do the same work as two mills, with all the finishing apparatus attached, and manufacture annually $50,000 worth of paper. The whole establishment cost from 25 to 30,000 dollars.
One of the furnaces, which has been in operation for many years, is in the east part of the town, on the ;stream which comes from Green-water pond, and is +owned by James Whiton, Esq. It may be called a pot 'furnace. Here are made all kinds of iron castings. The other, which has been recently built by Mr. Tarsus B. ted on a stream which comes from Washington
`misford, is in the north-east part of the town, and erec. nin. This is denominated a cupola furnace. It mount
-
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LEE ..
has gone into successful operation, and employs six hands.
The machine factory is owned by Messrs. Beach & Royce, and is situated on the united streams which come from Green-water pond and Goose pond, a quar- ter of a mile below their junction. This is considered an important establishment, and though new in its ope- rations, promises great public utility. It employs nine hands, and makes almost all kinds of machinery used in the manufacturing business.
It is estimated, that 1626 tons are annually trans- ported to and from Hudson river, by the inhabitants of this town, in their various occupations. Seven hun- dred tons are supposed to be annually transported, by those who are concerned in the various paper-mills. The whole cost of transportation is estimated at $8943, every year.
There are in this town eight stores, employing capi- tals of between four and five thousand dollars each. They sell to a considerable amount, every year, not on- ly to the inhabitants of this town, but also to those of the mountain towns around.
Increasing attention is paid to agriculture, and this has been especially noticed, since the establishment of agricultural societies. The land in this town. as in all others, is of different qualities. On each side of the Housatonic, there are extensive plains of rich alluvial land, of the best quality, easily tilled and very produc- tive. These plains vary in width, according to the wind- ings of the river. They are rather narrow at the north, but widen towards the south. The soil of the uplands is a loam, interspersed with gravel and stones, particu- larly on the east side of the river ; on the west, there is more clay. Gypsum is used to very great effect by some of the farmers. The productions are rye, sum- mer wheat, Ind an corn, grass, oats, peas, beans, flax, buckwheat, and potatoes. Such articles of produce as are not wanted for home consumption, are taken to Hudson or Albany, from which places this town is situ- ated between 30 and 40 miles. Most of the inhabitants are clothed with articles of domestic manufacture.
356
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE:
The orchards in this town are numerous and produc- tive, from which cider is manufactured in sufficient quantities for the use of the inhabitants.
Fuel is cheap and abundant, as the mountains are covered with wood, which may be obtained in the win- ter season, without much trouble. Among the different kinds of timber may be found birch, beech. maple, hem- lock, some pine, walnut. oak, chesnut, ash, &c.
Numerous strata of limestone are found in different parts of the town, from which sufficient lime is made for the use of the inhabitants.
A few quarries of white and clouded marble have. been discovered, from which elegantb uilding and grave- stones might be obtained.
There is in the south part of the town, at the base of the Beartown mountains, an inexhaustible bed of clay of superior quality, from which great quantities of brick are annually made. Potter's clay is also found a short distance from the same bed in abundance. A pottery has been established in the vicinity, at which more or less earthen ware is made every year.
This town is divided into 8 school-districts, all of which are provided with decent houses for the instruc- tion of children, excepting one, which is connected with a district in Stockbridge. From 4 to 600 dollars are annually appropriated by the town for the support of schools, together with a small land fund, besides consi- derable sums by subscription. Competent instructors are employed in each district, during the greater part of the year, so that the child must be inexcusable who vo- luntarily suffers himself to be unacquainted with the rudiments of education. A new impulse has been given to public sentiment, on the subject of education, since the enactment of the law regulating common schools, in the year 1825.
The roads are uncommonly good. Through the south part of the town passes the turnpike from Albany to Boston, through Springfield. Through the east part of the town, the road passes, formerly a turnpike, leading from Hartford to Albany, by the way of New Lebanon. All the other roads, in a very singular manner, converge to the centre, like the radii of a circle, where there is already quite a village, which is constantly increasing
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LEE.
There is also a village of considerable size in the south part of the town, containing about fifty families, where uncommon water privileges are enjoyed, and much busi- ness of various kinds is done.
Three public mail stages pass through this place daily. One from Albany to Boston, through Springfold ; one from Hartford to Pittsfield, and one hom Hudson to Pittsfield. They are all well supported. There are two post-offices ; one in the centre, and the other in the south part of the town.
The climate is very healthy. The water is good, though in general more or less impregnated with lime. F. ers are very rare ; and never but in one instance, since the settlement of the town, has disease prevailed to such an extent as to diffuse terror among the inhabi- tants. In the year 1813. it uffered. with many other parts of the country, from the epidemic which then pre- vailed so extensively. That year, between 30 and 40 of the inhabitants died. The whole number of deaths in 36 years is 624. Of this number 44 had completed between 80 and 90 years. The average number of deaths, during the same period. is 17 a year.
The population in 1820 was 1450. Owing to the spirit of emigration which prevailed here, for several years. the number did not greatly increase. Many towns in the western part of the State of New York, and in New Connecticut, may almost be said to be com- posed of inhabitants from this place. The increase of factories, within a few years, has added to the po- pulation probably from 3 to 400. The number of dwelling-houses in the town is rising of 200.
In the years 1-00 and 1801. was built the large ard convenient house of worship, now occupied by the church and people. In accomplishing this work, Jo- siah Yale, Esq., one of the early settlers of the town, and a firm friend to its best interests, took a very ac- tive part. To his influence and persevering efforts, guided by wisdom and prudence, the town is much in- debted. He died the 13th of May, 1822, having com- pleted 70 years.
The character of the people may be said to be moral, in an uncommon degree. They are for the most part strict observers of the Sabbath, and regular attendants
858
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
upon public worship. The great body of the people, from the first settlement of the town, have attached themselves to the Congregational society. There are, however, in the south part of the town, some Baptists and some Methodists. These have lately united in building a house of worship, in which they were aided by most of the inhabitants of that village, and by some others in the town.
The Congregational church in this town was organi- zed on the 25th of May, 1780, by the Rev. Daniel Col- lins, of Lanesborongh. consisting of thirty members. As the basis of their union, they adopted the same con- fession of faith which is acknowledged by the church at the present time. This small church had many oppo- sers in the town ; and the ground of opposition was their adherence to the doctrines of grace. Mr. Abraham Fowler was preaching to the people, a- a candidate. at the time the church was formed ; and soon after was in- vited to settle in the ministry and take the pastoral charge of the church. The day of ordination was ap- pointed to be on the Sth of Jane, 1730; and the conu- cil which was called. convened at the time. On this oc- casion, the church experienced a great trial and disap- pointment ; for so many in the town united in a remon- strance against the settlement of Mr. Fowler, that the Con cil decided against proceeding to ordain him.
On the 3d of July, 1783, Mr. Elisha Parmelee, of Goshen, in Connecticut, a graduate of Harvard College, was ordained their pastor; though to his settlement there was much opposition. Mr. Parmelee was sound in the faith, amiable in his manners, and highly respect- ed for his piety and talents. His health, however. soon failed, and his ministry was of short duration. He preached to the people only a few months. On the 13:h of May, 1784, the church and people, at his re- quest, consented that he should journey to Virginia, with the hope of regaming his health. While prosecu- ting this journey, and nearly one hundred miles short of the place he intended to reach, in the county of Augus- ta. he closed his mortal life, at the seat of Col. Abraham Bird, in the county of Shenandoah, Aug. 2, 1734, aged 29.
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LEE.
For eight years the church then was without a pastor. Though small, it was happily united, while the town was greatly divided. During this period, many candi- dates were employed, and many attempts made to settle one, but without success. The preservation of the church at this time, under providence, must be ascri- bed very much to the exertions, prudence and firmness of some of the leading members, aided by the labours and counsels of the late venerable Dr. West, of Stock- bridge.
On the 6th of June, 1792, the present pastor, the Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., was ordained over this church and people. In making out the call for his settlement, the same opposition was manifested, as in former cases ; but none appeared to remonstrate before the council. In a few weeks after his ordination, it pleased God to shed down the influences of his Holy Spirit upon this people, in a wonderful manner. and at a time of great security in sin, in all the neighbouring towns. Such ge- neral solemnity, and such expressions of deep feeling and anguish on account of sin, it is believed, have rare- ly been witnessed in any place. There was little or no abatement of the attention among the people, and of the displays of sovereign grace, for 18 months. The moral aspect of the place was very soon changed, in a most remarkable manner. More than one hundred persons were added to the church, among whom were some, who had been the most active in opposing the distinguishing doctrines of grace. A happy union in the town was ef- fected, which has continued without any special inter- ruption to the present day. For more than thirty six years, the harmony and tranquillity which have pre- vailed, both in the church and society, have been noti- ced as being uncommon.
In the year 1800, another season of special attention to the concerns of the soul was witnessed in the town, which resulted in the addition of 21 persons to the church.
In 1806. there was another revival of religion, when seventy one were added to the church.
In 1813, another season of refreshing from the pres- ence of the Lord was experienced, when twenty were added to the church.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
In IS21, there was another revival, which was follow- ed by an addition to the church of 75 persons.
In 1827, divine influences were again shed down upon this people. and great numbers were hopefully converted from the error of their ways. More than one hundred and thirty have since united with the church. The whole number of admissions, since the settlement of the present pastor, is 640. The present number of members is 361.
Deacons of the Church.
Oliver West; chosen Jnly 18, 1783; died April 23, 1816, aged 82.
Jesse Bradley ; do. do. died July 26,
1812, aged 76.
Levi Nye ; do.
Sept. 23, 1792 ; died Aug. 6, 1825 aged 82.
Edmund Hinckley; chosen Oct. 10, 1801 died; Jan. 3, 1822, aged 76.
David Ingersoll ; do. June 11, 1312 ;
John Thacher; chosen June 7, 1816; died Oct. 5, 1823, aged 61.
Josiah Spencer ; do. Oct. 15, 1820.
Nathan Bassett; do. March 17, 1826.
Hubbard Bartlett ; chosen Jan. 23, 1829.
Physicians.
Gideon Thompson ; native of Goshen, Con. ; moved to Galway, N. Y.
Erastus Sergeant ; native of Stockbridge ; graduate of Dorimouth College, 179%.
Nathaniel Thayer ; native of Boston ; died at West- field.
Hubbard Bartlett ; native of Richmond.
Asa G. Welch ; native of Norfolk, Cou.
Lawyers.
Rollin C. Dewey; native of Sheffield ; admitted to the bar in 1913; moved to Indiana.
Alvan Coe ; native of Granville ; now a clergyman at Sa idusky, Ohio.
Augustus Collins; native of Guilford, Con. ; now li- ving in Westfield.
William Porter, Jun. ; native of Hadley ; graduate of Williams College, 1813; admitted to the bar in 1817.
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EEE.
Lawson D. Bidwell ; native of Tyringham; graduate of Williams College, 1814; admitted to the bar in 1817.
Justices of the Peace.
Ebenezer Jenkins ; died in 1810, aged 74.
Josiah Yale ;
do. 1822,
70.
Joseph Whiton ; do. 1828, 69.
Jared Bradley ;
do. 1814,
53.
Jedediah Crocker.
John Nye ; do. 1826, “ 75.
William Sturgis. John Freese.
Augustus Collins.
Rollin C. Dewey.
James Whiton.
Gershom Bassett.
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